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2020 Pulitzer Prize Finalists

On May 4, 2020, the 2020 Pulitzer Prizes were awarded. The Pulitzers are among the most prestigious American prizes in journalism, writing, music, poetry, and more.

There’s never been a better time than now to jump into a time machine; set a course and grab your helmet! While sadly that isn’t possible (for now), we can escape to other histories, bodies, and universes in the pages of the books below. Each title explores the questions that are bound to time travel -- free will versus determinism, establishing identity in an age of futility, and fighting for love in an unpredictable landscape. Bring along a notebook; things can get tricky.

United States of Complexity

Red, White, and Who?

We certainly live in times of great divisiveness: politically, economically and racially. We live in a very complex country varying from region to region in its political persuasions, cultural backgrounds, and systems of belief. The following books take aim by their respective authors of truly seeking to understand a group of “other” Americans and why they believe what they do and why they pursue the things they do.

Modern Iran

Illuminating Fiction and Non-Fiction

How well is post-Revolution Iran understood in the West? Today this ancient society is known primarily for the activities of its theocratic government. The following collection of ebooks and audiobooks includes two novels, two memoirs and two analyses. Many of the authors selected were either born in Iran or spent several years in the country. My hope is to offer the reader an insider's perspective on this enigmatic land.

24 Hours of Audiobooks

Audiobooks that will keep you occupied

No matter the reason for finding yourself with a lot of time on your hands, there are many ways to make the best of it. One of those ways is by diving into a super long book on audio. All of these books are not only critically acclaimed, but they’ll also take you more than a day to listen to. That’s right, each of these audiobooks clocks in at over 24 hours long, so you won’t find yourself without something to read and listen to for quite a bit.

Seafaring Journeys with Cargo

Nonfiction Explorations of Maritime Shipping

Last year I traveled as a passenger for almost four weeks on two transatlantic cargo ships. Since I've returned, I have been reading books to gain further insight into the world of maritime shipping. Many products we use every day, including the device you're reading these words on and many library books, have journeyed across oceans on cargo ships. Yet, the shipping world is invisible to most of us. Without leaving land you too can journey into this fascinating world by reading the books below.

Andrew Carnegie Medals 2020

During the American Library Association Mid-Winter Conference, the winners of the 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Non-Fiction were announced. The winners will received their prizes in June. Below are the winning titles. Copies are available to check out and download from the library. Fiction

What Year is it, Anyway? Part 1

Five books about 1965-1969 music and culture (with the year in the title!)

I love reading about rock and roll, and I love reading about rock and roll in a historical context. So when I noticed a theme emerging in the stacks of music books at our branches, I took note. That theme was "the year as title," a not-so-subtle bid that tells you exactly what you are in for at first glance. These tomes are fun and informative and so full of music-history-as-sociology minutiae, you can find all kinds of facts you did not know before.

Cover of the book The Complete Book of Coffee

All about Coffee

Books on coffee beans, the coffee trade, and the glories of the marvelous brew

Ah… coffee. A cuppa, Java, liquid lightning… It gets us on our feet in the morning, it’s our afternoon treat, or it’s our all-day fuel and provider of comfort. In the DMV, two-thirds of us drink at least one cup of coffee every day, and the area is home to some excellent coffee shops (and plenty of Starbucks locations too). But how much do you really know about coffee? How are the beans harvested and processed? What are the particulars of the global trade in coffee? What role has the coffeehouse played over time? What are the medical benefits (and hazards) of coffee?

"Those Who Do Not Remember the Past...."

Nonfiction on forgotten or obscure American history

You’ve probably heard the George Santayana quote, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Or maybe you’ve heard it as, “Those who do not read history are doomed to repeat it.” The following recommendations are focused on the history of the United States and include forgotten history, obscure stories, and potentially niche but fascinating historical facts. From the whitewashing of the American wild west to the creation of the United States Postal Service, every book here is about history you may not have learned in school.